Autumn is a wonderful time of year to be outside exploring in the woods, once all the leaves begin to drop off the trees you begin to see all sorts of things you wouldn’t have noticed earlier in the year like birds nests and squirrel dreys. And the colours of the leaves are mesmerising, it’s amazing how there can be so many different shades of orange! So, here are some of my ideas for things to do outside this autumn.

1. Throw stones – I was out for a walk the other day and as we went over the bridge we noticed the leaves in the water below. We gathered some pebbles and tried to see who could drop theirs onto the leaves, it is harder than you think!
2. Collect leaves – With such an array of colours and shapes, it is hard to resist collecting a few. Try and collect as many different types as possible, or alternatively pick as many shades of the same type of leaf like you can see pictured.
3. Watch the jackdaws – Jackdaws are very social and form strong bonds with their mate, at this time of year you will see big flocks or them flying around but you will also be able to see pairs sticking closely together.
4. Look for animal tracks – The Falls of Clyde can get quite muddy at this time of year but it’s a great opportunity to go and look for animal tracks, the badgers, foxes and deer often cut across footpaths so you don’t have to wander far!
5. Go geocaching – I have an intern, volunteering with us at the moment and she recently put a new geocache on the reserve. If you like geocaching then come along and try and find it for yourself.
6. Eat – One of my favourite restaurants to eat in is called ‘The Great Outdoors’, maybe you’ve heard of it!

Laura Preston, Falls of Clyde Ranger
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